Mike N. demonstrating good technique
Ice Climbing Instruction in Canada
You can learn to ice climb in a day, you can spend years mastering the sport.
Gain the skills and knowledge that give you the confidence to be your best at this engaging sport.
We teach professional level, current knowledge.
Accelerated learning due to: small groups, expert instruction and individual coaching.
Comprehensive and thorough coverage of program content, tailored to your pace.
We offer instruction for absolute beginners to start with a solid foundation, as well as for expert climbers looking at advanced clinics or to update their knowledge base.
Your Instructors
- Have extensive instruction and coaching experience
- Are patient and attentive
- Have developed and refined these programs, and will tailor them to your unique abilities and goals
- Provide clinics for ice festivals, gear manufacturers, educational institutes, individuals and groups
- Have mastered these skills themselves through years of training and experience at the forefront of the sport
- Are dedicated to seeing you progress as climbers, becoming efficient and confident in your abilities, and enjoying the process.
All programs
- Some scheduled programs are listed below. Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
- We keep our instructor to participant ratio’s low to increase the value of your experience. Although it would be more profitable for us to fill larger courses, we know a superior program has fewer participants. When comparing prices with other guiding services, keep in mind the group size GREATLY impacts the amount of time you spend climbing, and the level of focused personalized coaching you receive. Remember, the price of one day at a 2:1 ratio is worth three days spent out at 6:1 ratios!
- We can accommodate larger groups and corporate programs – please email us for details and pricing
“Ice is Nice!” Intro ~ 1 day ~ 6 participants max
No prior ice climbing experience required.
Courses scheduled for –
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Looking for a taste of climbing and picking up the basics? Try our ‘Ice is Nice’ intro day!
Topics Covered
- Fitting your gear – helmets, harnesses, boots and crampons (boots not included)
- Discussion of safety procedures and climbing area hazards
- Basic ice movement – kicking and swinging
- Basic rope work – tying in, belaying and lowering on top rope climbs
Pricing: $225.00 per person plus 5% gst
For further information and to reserve your guide, visit our Bookings Page or contact us.
Steep Ice Clinics
Prior ice climbing experience required. (Can lead or top-rope Grade 4-5 ice)
Course scheduled for –
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
On this technique orientated program you will develop an efficient and controlled climbing style on steep and funky ice.
This is fun and physical climbing on some steep ice formations.
Topics Covered
- Learn specialized techniques for tackling: steep ice, funky ice, thin ice
- Get comfortable dealing with chandeliers, cauliflowers, daggers and funky ice formations
- Find out what it takes to climb Grade 5+ ice
- Learn advanced ice climbing techniques
- Find resting positions, and control your pump
- Intensive personalized coaching will give you an accelerated learning process
- Experience a dramatic increase in your confidence and abilities when confronted with steep ice
Pricing: $225.00 per person plus 5% gst
For further information and to reserve your guide, visit our Bookings Page or contact us.
Learn to Lead ~ 2 days ~ 4 participants max
Prior ice climbing experience required, able to second or top-rope grade 3 ice.
Courses scheduled for –
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Leading on ice is both rewarding and serious.
This course will give you the knowledge, experience and confidence to head out on the ‘sharp end’.
Initial focus is ascent and descent of single pitch routes. Then we will get into the meat and potatoes of leading on ice.
Topics covered
- Gear selection, use and racking
- Route selection, planning and route finding
- Anchor construction
- Lead climbing belaying
- Belaying up a second
- Protection strategies
- Protection evaluation and placement
- Efficient climbing technique
- Mental techniques (How to hold it all together!)
- Risk level evaluation
- Descent systems
Pricing: $450.00 per person plus 5% gst
For further information and to reserve your guide, visit our Bookings Page or contact us.
Multipitch Ice ~ 2 days ~ 2 participants max
Prior ice climbing experience required, able to second or lead a minimum of Grade 3 ice
No prior mulitpitch climbing experience is needed
If you are competent leader on ice, this program will integrate mulitpitch lead climbing into the syllabus
Course scheduled for –
Can’t make these dates? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Climbing multipitch ice demands more advanced skills.
Learn to become a competent member on a multipitch climbing team.
Topics Covered
- Gear selection, proper use and racking
- Route selection, planning and route finding
- Rope management, anchor construction, belay site selection
- Ice protection placement and removal strategies
- Hazard awareness and management
- Belay techniques for leader and seconds on mulitpitch routes, review of direct anchor belays
- Descent systems: Rap anchor construction, evaluation. Abalakovs(V-Threads), lowering, rappelling, rappel backups, efficiency and safety considerations
Pricing: $675.00 per person plus 5% gst
For further information and to reserve your guide, visit our Bookings Page or contact us.
Mixed Climbing Intro ~ 1 day ~ 6 participants max
No prior ice climbing or mixed climbing experience required.
Courses scheduled for –
Can’t make this date? Put your own group of climbers together and you pick the dates.
Overview
Want to try rock climbing with your winter hardwear?
Looking for a taste of mixed climbing and picking up the basics? Try our Mixed Climbing Intro day.
Topics Covered
- Fitting your gear – helmets, harnesses, boots and crampons (all included)
- Discussion of safety procedures and climbing area hazards
- Basic mixed climbing movement
- transitioning from rock to ice
- use of modern mixed tools
